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Artwork for The Secret Lives of Games

The Secret Lives of Games

The Secret Lives of Games
Saltsea Chronicles
Die Gute Fabrik
Slice & Dice
Game Development
Mars First Logistics
Balatro
Mutazione
Tux and Fanny
Eggplant: the Secret Lives Of Games
Game Design
Rob Dubbin
Game Developers Conference
A Highland Song
Puzzmo
Spoils
Jusant
Paper Beast
Poker
Curses and Blessings System
Victoria Together

Candid conversations with game creators that dive deep into the art, craft, and process of making games.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes259Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGamesVideo Games

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Secret Lives of Games

Latest Episodes

Rob and Zach chat with Joonas Turner (Downwell, Noita, Cult of the Lamb), Jukio Kallio (Fall Guys, Minit, Dave the Diver), and Jan Willem "JW" Nijman (Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, Minit) about their landmark twin-stick wasteland shooter, Nucl... more

We're joined by droqen (The End of Gameplay, Starseed Pilgrim), Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), and Harry Lee Shang Lun (Earthrise One) for the third title in our year of All Systems Brough, a year-long exploration of the work of Michael B... more

Rob, Doug, Andy, and Sarah chat with Gabe Cuzzillo (Ape Out, Despelote) and Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, QWOP) about their (with Maxi Boch) latest game, the multi-IGF-nominated open-world hard-walking manchild simulator Baby Ste... more

We're joined by droqen (The End of Gameplay, Starseed Pilgrim), Darius Kazemi (Tiny Subversions, Harvard Applied Social Media Lab), and Tara Macalister (mathematician, composer) to discuss Vertex Dispenser, the second game in our year-long exploratio... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Joonas Turner
Sound designer and developer from Finland
Nuclear Throne team
Episode: 153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)
Jan Willem Nijman
JW, co-creator of Nuclear Throne
Nuclear Throne team
Episode: 153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)
Jukio Kallio
Composer whose work includes Fall Guys, Minit, and Dave the Diver
Nuclear Throne team
Episode: 153: Returning to the Wasteland with Jan Willem Nijman, Joonas Turner, and Jukio Kallio (Nuclear Throne)
Darius Kazemi
Artist, engineer and writer, known for his work on various games
Episode: All Systems Brough - Vertex Dispenser
Tara Macalister
Mathematician and spouse of Michael Brough, involved in creating music for games
Episode: All Systems Brough - Vertex Dispenser
Kimmo Lahtinen
Game developer and creator of Sektori
Indie game developer
Episode: 150: Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori)
Mare Sheppard
Co-founder of Metanet Software, creators of indie games
Metanet Software
Episode: All Systems Brough - Introduction
Raigan Burns
Co-founder of Metanet Software, creators of N++
Metanet Software
Episode: All Systems Brough - Introduction
Jeremy Johnston
Game developer with over 15 years of experience.
Episode: 147: Digging Deep with The Roottrees are Dead

Hosts

Rob Dubbin
Co-host and one of the primary hosts, engaged deeply in discussions about game design and the creator's journey.
Andy Nealon
Co-host who brings lively discussions about gaming culture and creator insights.
Nick Sutner
Co-host engaged in sharing innovative game mechanics and narrative design.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 266 ratings
  • Good Show

    Makes me undulate happily whenever this comes on. I still don’t fully know why and should check with a doctor, but I think it feels good so I would say overall it’s a consensual experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pdjfjfjk
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • If you love hearing indie devs talk, there's no better podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ectafoole
    8 months ago
  • Impeccable podcast with an impeccable community surrounding an impeccable game (and other games before and after this year). Perfect score.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Tikwid
    a year ago
  • Been listening a long time

    I remember when this show was about spelunky and I was desperate to listen to people talk about roguelikes. It’s always been a very good games podcast, but the UFO 50 series has changed it entirely. I already liked the hosts. But the guests change the dynamic so much week to week, and it’s a murderers row of literally the best indie devs on the planet. The voicemails, which started as basic call in comments, morphed into a psychedelic fusion of academic criticism and performance art. It’s been g... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bellinater
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love UFO50

    Been listening to this podcast for years. If you’re a design nerd you gotta listen. I hope it never ever goes away. Also, I’d just like to use this outlet to show some love for Sarah. I really enjoy her energy and humor.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andeez the guy
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the show is celebrated for its knowledgeable hosts and engaging guest interviews, fostering a sense of community among listeners.
Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions and deep dives into game design, often labeling it the best game design podcast available.
The show is seen as incredibly informative and enjoyable, especially for those keen on understanding the complexities behind indie games and mechanics.
Some listeners express frustration over perceived shifts in focus towards broader social issues, indicating mixed feelings about the balance of topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#212
United States/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#69
United Kingdom/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#229
Canada/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#23
Italy/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#71
Italy/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#157
France/Leisure/Video Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

150: Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori)
Q: Is that still a reasonable thing to do?
I think it's a bit of... Maybe it doesn't fit the device that well, but I have been considering it.
150: Making It Great with Kimmo Lahtinen (Sektori)
Q: What was your kind of logic or I guess gut instinct to include all of it all at once?
I wanted to make this a complete game because it's a very niche game and it never got any attention before release.
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Cyber Owls
Q: Izzy, what is the record?
The world record currently is 15 minutes and 22 seconds.
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Star Waspir
Q: What makes Star Waspir a unique experience compared to other games in UFO 50?
Its integration of difficult gameplay with a significant demand for skill and memorization sets it apart.
146: Ascending the Ranks with Jeff Dubbin (Competitive Lost Cities)
Q: What do you think is the average number of colors you've opened up?
My sense is that it's very rarely less than three, usually at least three.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Secret Lives of Games

What is The Secret Lives of Games about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricacies of game design and development, this audio series features candid conversations with game creators who share their insights and experiences. Each episode dives into thematic discussions, ranging from the psychological aspects of gameplay to personal anecdotes that highlight the journeys of game developers. Notable topics include game mechanics, community engagement, and the artistic intersection of design and narrative within the gaming industry. This series uniquely intertwines the experiences of indie game developers with broader gaming themes, often leading to deep reflections on the impact of games in contemporary culture.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Secret Lives of Games?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Secret Lives of Games. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Secret Lives of Games and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Secret Lives of Games get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Secret Lives of Games?

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How many subscribers and views does The Secret Lives of Games have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Secret Lives of Games has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Secret Lives of Games?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Secret Lives of Games:

1. Triple Click
2. The Besties
3. Retronauts
4. Get Played
5. The Flop House

How many episodes of The Secret Lives of Games are there?

The Secret Lives of Games launched 8 years ago and published 259 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Secret Lives of Games?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Secret Lives of Games?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Secret Lives of Games from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Secret Lives of Games?

Recent guests on The Secret Lives of Games include:

1. Joonas Turner
2. Jan Willem Nijman
3. Jukio Kallio
4. Darius Kazemi
5. Tara Macalister
6. Kimmo Lahtinen
7. Mare Sheppard
8. Raigan Burns

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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